The Best Buffalo Classics: Deconstructed

Beef on Weck Pizza @ Brick Oven Bistro / Step Out Buffalo

Admit it, we all love bragging about our city. Oh, you like chicken wings?They were invented in my hometown.Never heard of beef on weck?I’m sorry you live a deprived life.You don’t keep a small bottle of Franks in your purse or man satchel in case you encounter some horrible place that doesn’t have it?Oh yeah…me neither.Anyway, we know what we’re known for and we are proud of it. And we have great respect for people that can take a Buffalo classic and transform it into something totally different yet something we can still be nostalgic over. Why? Because, Buffalo. Because there’s nothing we Buffalonians like more than Buffalo anything. We dare you to stray from tradition once in a while and check out these deconstructed versions of Buffalo classics.Here’s where to dig in!

Beef on Weck Meatballs @ Providence Social

490 Rhode Island St, Buffalo, NY 14213 / (716) 464-3786

Providence Social took the Buffalo classic flavors from a Beef on Weck and created house-made weck infused meatballs.They blend their carefully crafted meatballs with caraway seeds, kosher salt, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish gravy, and rye crostini.

999 Red Loganberry wine from Chateau Buffalo

1500 Clinton St, Buffalo, NY 14206 / (716) 704-4671

I rave about this wine to anyone that will listen since the day I hunted it down at the Broadway Market.Chateau Buffalo’s 999 Red contains local concord grapes and loganberries, giving this wine a real Buffalo identity. If wine + loganberry makes you happy, this is all you. Cheers, Buffalo!

Beef on Weck Dip / Step Out Buffalo

Beef on Weck Dip @ Riverworks

359 Ganson St, Buffalo, NY 14203 / (844) 749-2267

Continuing the Beef on Weck trend is Riverworks with their delicious Beef on Weck dip.Loaded with chopped sirloin and horseradish mixed with cheddar, Monterey jack, and cream cheeses served hot with pretzel bites or pieces of toast, this cheesy snack is one we haven’t seen done anywhere else. Congrats, Riverworks.

Buffalo Mac and Cheese @ The Press Box / Step Out Buffalo

Buffalo Mac and Cheese @ The Press Box

1841 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna, NY 14218 / (716) 823-3268

Mac & Cheese; delicious.Mac & Cheese made with homemade cheese sauce and loaded with other Buffalo goods; even better!The Buffalo Mac & Cheese at The Press Box is a combination of house-made cheese sauce, hot sauce, chicken fingers, blue cheese and then it’s topped with bacon, because everything is better topped with bacon.

Buffalo Chicken Ramen @ SATO Ramen / Step Out Buffalo

Buffalo Chicken Ramen @ SATO Ramen

739 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 / 716) 931-9146

Chef Satomi Smith and her husband Joshua Smith of the new SATO Ramen, work hard to make interesting, quality food for locals. And their not stopping at traditional either. Meet their Buffalo Chicken Style Ramen – expect house-made ramen (all house-made ramen and soba noodles), creamy pure chicken broth with spicy buffalo chicken, corn, green onions, carrot, and a sprinkle of black garlic oil. It will be a while before you’ll see this anywhere else – probably in the world.

Whiskey Dick cocktail @ Martin Cooks

346 Connecticut St, Buffalo, NY 14213 / (716) 259-9306

Here in WNY we love our seasons, and by the end of our sweltering summers we’re ready for those few weeks of fall. After porch weather winds down and before the regular blizzard blows in, we’re all about those local apples.While there are plenty of places to go for a pick-your-own apple picking experience, a local favorite is Becker Farms. The Becker Farms hard cider mixed with whisky creates this popular Martin Cooks cocktail with an uber-local spin.

Now Famous Chicken Crunch Rolls / Step Out Buffalo

Buffalo Chicken Crunch Rolls @ Mac’s on Hertel

1435 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 / (716) 833-6227

The recent opening of Mac’s brought some spice (literally) to Hertel Ave with their double decker patio and their Buffalo Chicken Crunch Rolls. The crunch rolls (now famous) are stuffed to the max (so punny, I know) with mozzarella, smoked provolone and plenty of chicken and spice, served with blue cheese for dunking and celery on the side.

The Buffalo Bloody @ Trattoria Aroma on Bryant

307 Bryant St, Buffalo, NY 14222 / (716) 881-7592

It’s no secret that I consider myself quite the Bloody Mary connoisseur in this city.I’ve tried so many Bloody Marys at a variety of restaurants throughout Buffalo, so when I find a good one I make sure to give credit where it’s due and Trattoria Aroma’s Bloody menu on Sundays is hard to beat – including the Buffalo Bloody. This spicy spinoff is loaded with frank’s hot sauce, gorgonzola, garlic, cumin, and celery.If you’re from Buffalo, we know you put that delightful sauce on just about everything, so why not just drink it already? Ah, so good!

Lake Effect Ice Cream / Photo by Jessica Kelly

Many Flavors @ Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream

Summer has ended, and ice cream shops are closing for the season, so it’s time to take a little break from this frozen treat, right? Yeah, no. We’re Buffalonians, and the cold didn’t bother us way before Elsa started that trend. Time to stock your freezer with some delicious Buffalo inspired flavors instead. Lake Effect Ice Cream has created some fun flavors that incorporate some Buffalo classics like Loganberry and Sponge Candy. “The Aud” flavor is made of “sweet Labatt Blue ice cream” for gosh sakes!

I’m personally very excited about their upcoming super-Buffalo deconstructed flavor; Nickel City Heat.They are actually coming out with a Buffalo wing flavored ice cream.Let that sink in for a minute. This future hit will include a base of rich chocolate cinnamon ice cream with a kick of cayenne.And now, we wait…

Sponge Candy Caramel Cannoli / Photo by Jessica Kelly

Sponge Candy Caramel Cannoli @ Panaro’s Restaurant

571 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202 / (716) 884-1033

The Sponge Candy Caramel Cannoli quickly made it’s way from Panaro’s Taste of Buffalo menu to their real menu, incorporating melt-in-your-mouth Old Fashioned Sponge Candy from Parkside Candy.Not only is this dessert creamy with a touch of molasses crunch from the sponge candy, but eating it means you’re supporting two local businesses.Do yourself a favor and make a trip to Panaro’s to taste this delicious dessert.

Beef on Weck Roll at Seabar / Step Out Buffalo

Beef on Weck Roll @ Seabar

475 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203 / (716) 332-2928

You don’t have to love raw fish to enjoy sushi – but for this roll, you do have to try raw beef.The Beef on Weck Roll at Seabar is one of the most innovative ways we’ve seen this Buffalo classic reinvented.The roll includes sticky rice and a thin layer of beef carpaccio wrapped tightly around beef filet and then sprinkled with caraway seeds and drizzled with horseradish mayo. It alone is worth a visit to Seabar.

Chivetta’s Wings @ The Public House of Buffalo

1206 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 / (716) 551-6208

Sick of waiting and hoping that a school or church fundraiser to pop up to get your Chiavetta’s fix? Don’t feel like cooking tonight? Public House is serving up Chicken Wings Chiavetta’s Grilled char style on demand.Could you ask for anything better?

Beef on Weck Pizza @ Brick Oven Bistro / Step Out Buffalo

Beef on Weck Pizza at Brick Oven Bistro

This wood-fired pizza is topped with house roasted beef, melted Swiss cheese, the perfect amount of horseradish root aioli and has a kimmelweck crust. It’s simply delicious and like everything on this list, really takes those classic Buffalo flavors and repurposes them for a new and exciting experience.

Original Buffalo Caramel by That Popcorn Shack

1582 Eggert Rd, Buffalo, NY 14226 / (716) 697-5086

This 2 year old popcorn company is making a name for themselves with an original creation that pays homage to our local flavor – Buffalo Caramel Popcorn. While I’m sworn to secrecy about the ingredients, I can tell you that their’s Frank’s Hot Sauce incorporated into sweet and slaty mixture, basically satisfying any and all cravings in one snack.Also incorporating Frank’s is their outstanding Spicy Cheddar. Find these guys in local shops like Bavarian Nut Company on Elmwood and at the Broadway Market.

If we missed one you enjoy, comment and tell us your favorite Buffalo foods deconstructed!

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Jess is a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food, travel, and entertainment living in Buffalo. Her work has appeared in over 10 different local publications in WNY, the Huffington Post, Dame Traveler, Insider, Wine Enthusiast, Kitchn, AAA World Magazine, and Thrillist. She's a self-proclaimed bloody mary connoisseur, obsessed with all things Buffalo, the Real Housewives of EVERYTHING, horror movies, vintage cookbooks, coffee, and food markets. Follow her crazy adventures and countless food pictures on Instagram @Adventures.Are.Waiting!

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